Overview

This course is structured to build foundational engineering competency for mid-rise concrete building design and construction across 17 integrated lessons. It begins with structural load classification and combination methods under ADIBC 2013, progresses through the step-by-step seismic design workflow and shear wall design principles, and moves into software-based structural analysis and foundation design using ETABS and SAFE. The course then transitions to construction-stage technical knowledge — covering concrete cover, curing, anchorage and lap splices, inspection and testing, joints and embedded items, fire resistance, mix design, formwork, reinforcement handling, and site execution sequence — connecting every topic directly to the code provision that governs it. The course concludes with a complete picture of the workmanship and quality standards required for seismic-resistant concrete construction in Abu Dhabi.

Course Deliverables

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify and classify structural load types under ADIBC 2013 and apply ASD and LRFD load combination methods to basic design scenarios.
Follow the step-by-step seismic design workflow — from mapped hazard values and site classification through SDC assignment and SFRS selection — in accordance with ADIBC §1613 and ASCE 7.
Understand the structural behaviour and design principles of reinforced concrete shear walls as the primary lateral force-resisting system in mid-rise buildings under ACI 318.
Perform seismic analysis of regular mid-rise buildings in ETABS, including load definition, mass source assignment, and interpretation of drift and torsional irregularity results.
Model deep foundation pile cap systems in SAFE using spring stiffness values from geotechnical reports and verify basic design checks for flexure, shear, and punching.
Specify concrete cover, curing procedures, and anchorage and lap splice requirements correctly for seismic exposure zones under ACI 318-14 and ASCE 7.
Identify the key inspection and testing requirements for concrete in mid-rise seismic-resistant buildings, including NDT methods, compressive strength acceptance, and documentation standards.
Apply the workmanship and execution sequence requirements for seismic-resistant concrete construction — covering mix design, formwork, reinforcement handling, and concrete placement — and connect each requirement to its governing code provision.

Course Content

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Structural Design Loads and Combinations (ADIBC 2013)

Introduces the full spectrum of structural design loads under ADIBC 2013 and ASCE 7 — dead, live, roof live, wind, seismic, flood, rain, and temperature loads — with Abu Dhabi-specific considerations for each. Covers standard load notation, ASD and LRFD combination methods, and worked examples showing how governing combinations are identified for typical residential and commercial structures in Abu Dhabi's coastal and low-seismicity context.

Seismic Load Requirements (ADIBC 2013)

Builds the complete seismic design workflow step by step — reading mapped hazard values (Ss and S1) from ADIBC Figures, classifying sites A–F using shear wave velocity, SPT N-values, and undrained shear strength, applying site coefficients Fa and Fv, computing SMS, SM1, SDS, and SD1, assigning the Seismic Design Category, selecting an SFRS with appropriate R, Ω₀, and Cd values, and applying ADIBC-specific amendments including AAC wall coefficients, building separations, MEP bracing exemptions, and special inspection triggers.

Shear Wall Design (ACI 318-08)

Introduces reinforced concrete shear walls as the primary lateral force-resisting element in mid-rise buildings — covering their structural behaviour under in-plane shear and flexure, minimum reinforcement requirements, boundary element triggers, design for shear strength, and the code provisions of ACI 318-08 that govern their proportioning and detailing. Builds the foundational understanding needed before applying shear wall design in ETABS.

Seismic Analysis Using ETABS for Medium-Rise Regular Buildings

Applies the seismic design principles from Lessons 01–03 in ETABS using the equivalent static lateral force method for regular mid-rise buildings. Covers model setup, material and section assignment, load definition, mass source assignment, seismic load case parameters, load combination setup, and interpretation of key analysis outputs including story drift, torsional irregularity, and shear wall demand-to-capacity ratios.

Modelling, Analysis & Design of Deep Foundations Using SAFE

Covers the modelling and design of deep pile foundation systems in SAFE — including importing base reactions from ETABS, defining pile positions as spring supports using group-adjusted stiffness values from geotechnical reports, configuring load combinations, and verifying pile cap design for flexure, one-way shear, column punching, and individual pile punching. Reinforcement detailing requirements under ACI 318 are covered in the context of pile cap design.

Concrete Cover for Medium-Rise Seismic Buildings (ACI 318-14 & ASCE 7)

Covers concrete cover specification for seismic-resistant mid-rise buildings — the minimum clear cover values for different exposure conditions under ACI 318-14, how seismic zone requirements modify standard cover provisions, cover for prestressed and non-prestressed elements, and the relationship between cover, durability, and fire resistance. Identifies the most common cover specification errors and their consequences for structural performance and durability.

Concrete Curing Requirements for Medium-Rise Seismic Buildings

Addresses concrete curing as a critical quality control step — covering the purpose of curing, the effect of curing duration and method on concrete strength development and durability, minimum curing periods for different cement types and exposure conditions, wet curing methods, curing compounds, and the consequences of premature curing termination on compressive strength and long-term performance in Abu Dhabi's hot and arid climate.

Anchorage and Lap Splices in Seismic Design

Covers development length and anchorage requirements for reinforcement in seismic zones under ACI 318 — including straight bar development, hooked bar development, and the splice class system for tension and compression splices. Addresses how seismic demand modifies standard development length multipliers, confinement effects, and common anchorage detailing errors in beams, columns, and shear walls that cause brittle failure modes under seismic loading.

Construction Tolerances for Mid-Rise Seismic-Resistant Buildings

Covers dimensional and positional construction tolerances for seismic-resistant concrete construction — column plumb tolerances, slab level tolerances, wall alignment requirements, and reinforcement placement tolerances. Explains how construction inaccuracies accumulate across floors in multi-storey construction and how exceeding tolerance limits affects structural behaviour, load transfer, and seismic performance under lateral loading.

Inspection & Testing of Concrete for Mid-Rise Seismic-Resistant Buildings

Covers the inspection and testing framework for concrete in seismic-resistant mid-rise construction — fresh concrete testing, compressive strength testing and acceptance criteria, non-destructive testing methods (rebound hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity, core testing), special inspection requirements under ADIBC, and the documentation records required to demonstrate compliance at authority inspection.

Joints, Sleeves & Embedded Items in Seismic-Resistant Mid-Rise Buildings

Addresses construction joints, control joints, expansion joints, pipe sleeves, and embedded items — their effect on structural continuity, seismic force transfer, and durability. Covers code requirements for joint location and preparation, sleeve sizing and reinforcement offset, embedded plate anchorage, and the inter-discipline coordination needed to prevent joint and penetration conflicts that compromise seismic performance.

Fire Resistance Detailing & Concrete Cover in Seismic-Resistant Mid-Rise Buildings

Covers fire resistance requirements for concrete elements in mid-rise buildings — minimum cover for fire protection distinct from durability cover, fire rating requirements for slabs, beams, columns, and walls under ADIBC, and how fire resistance detailing interacts with seismic detailing requirements to produce a single compliant design solution.

Concrete Mix Design & Admixtures for Seismic-Resistant Medium-Rise Buildings

Covers concrete mix design principles for seismic-resistant construction — target versus characteristic strength, water-cement ratio, aggregate selection, cement type selection for Abu Dhabi's sulfate and chloride exposure, and the role of admixtures including water reducers, superplasticisers, retarders, and supplementary cementitious materials. Addresses mix submission, approval requirements, and the relationship between mix design and long-term durability.

Formwork & Removal Timing for Medium-Rise Seismic-Resistant Buildings

Covers formwork design principles, load requirements, deflection limits, and stripping timing for seismic-resistant concrete construction — minimum stripping times for slabs, beams, columns, and walls, the relationship between stripping timing and concrete strength gain, re-propping requirements for multi-storey construction, and the consequences of premature formwork removal.

Reinforcement Handling & Storage for Seismic-Resistant Medium-Rise Buildings

Covers correct handling, storage, bending, and placement of reinforcement — storage to prevent corrosion and contamination, bending radius requirements, bar identification and traceability, placement tolerances and cover spacers, and the inspection checks that verify reinforcement configuration before concrete is placed. Identifies common site reinforcement errors that compromise seismic detailing and their prevention.

Execution Sequence & Workmanship for Seismic-Resistant Medium-Rise Buildings

Establishes the complete concrete execution sequence — from pre-pour inspection through placement, vibration, finishing, and curing — and the workmanship standards that govern each stage. Addresses construction joint preparation, pour sequence planning, vibrator selection and penetration depth, surface finishing requirements, and the authority inspection hold points that must be cleared before each pour proceeds. Connects every workmanship requirement to its governing code provision.